Before administering a flu shot, Barbara Prichard, public health nurse of the Montclair Health Department, explains the data sheet to a would-be recipient.

A keyboard, a mouse, a pencil, a coffee pot that someone infected with the influenza ("flu") virus has touched could make you sick. Persons infected with the flu might not feel sick when they share their germs with you.

"When you’re in contact with the flu virus, symptoms take from one to four days to present themselves. During that time you are contagious and spreading the disease but still feel fine," noted Abbruzzese.

When Abbruzzese spoke to The Times she had just finished a conference call with the NJ Department of Health and the divisions of health in about 50 towns. Abbruzzese said these calls, in response to increased incidences of flu in New Jersey, will probably take place every week until the virus subsides.

it’s going around

Influenza cases have been reported earlier than usual this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, www.cdc.gov/flu. Forty-seven states, including New Jersey, have reported widespread geographic influenza activity, an increase from 41 states from the previous week. The CDC posts flu updates every Friday.

For the first time this season, the CDC reports that deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza have gone above the epidemic threshold. This past Saturday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared the Empire State to be in a state of flu emergency, according to the website of the New York State Health Department.

Montclair Schools Superintendant Penny McCormack stated to The Times that "half of the schools have seen an increase in absences from previous years, and although we can’t be sure they are flu absences, given the season, that may be the case."

Dr. Theresa Soroko, chief medical officer at HackensackUMC Mountainside Hospital and the facility’s infectious disease specialist, said that hospitals and physicians’ offices have seen a rise in cases, including upper respiratory infections, bronchitis and pneumonia, that are related to the flu.

"Anybody who is ill should not be visiting anybody at the hospital," said Soroko. "We’re informing all visitors, if you’ve not been vaccinated for the flu you need to wear a mask."

The flu vaccine can lessen symptoms and length of the flu if you come in contact with the disease, said Soroko.

The medical community will continue vaccinating people until March, so it is not too late to be vaccinated, she said. People should contact their physicians about vaccine availability. Some local pharmacies also offer flu shots.

STAYING HEALTHY

Is it the flu? It might be if there is fever, body aches and chills, which are less common with a cold. Other symptoms, according to the CDC, include a sore throat, fatigue, cough, headache, runny or stuffy nose.

Abbruzzese said that hand-washing enough is a "first line of defense against the flu." To avoid infecting others, cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than your hand. Stay at home if you are sick, and remain at home for 24 hours after the fever breaks, she said.

Because dehydration can be serious, it is important to drink fluids, Abbruzzese noted. Taking Tamiflu, an anti-viral medication, within 48 hours of the flu’s onset can help, she said.

There is a quick test involving a swab of the cheek to confirm a flu diagnosis, according to Abbruzese, but a doctor can usually spot it without that.

Some towns are already running out of the vaccine. Belleville Township reported a shortage of the flu vaccine on Monday, according to The Belleville Times. The Nutley Sun reported on Monday that the town was out of flu vaccines, and that Nutley Public Affairs Commissioner Steven Rogers recommended that Nutley residents receive vaccines in Montclair.

Abbruzzese stated that as of last Friday, Montclair had approximately 400 doses remaining.

The Montclair Health Department will host a flu clinic in Montclair on Tuesday, Jan. 22, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at 205 Claremont Ave. Vaccine clinics are held the first and third Monday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m., except when it lands on a holiday, said Abbruzzese.